USGA defines venting as the practice of creating small, non-disruptive holes in a putting green for the purpose of improving gas exchange, increasing infiltration of water, and relieves compaction.
With the amount of rainfall we received in July and the normal summer temperatures, this practice is vital to keeping our greens healthy. You can see in the picture above, the right side has been vented and the left hasn’t. Typically we use a 1/4″ solid tine at a 5″ depth every 3 to 4 weeks. This type of Aerification is a lot less disruptive then spring and fall aerification and allows us to mow or roll right behind. Typically it takes 3 or 4 days for the tine holes to heal in.
Thanks,
GCM